Shoe with magnetically attachable decorative accessory

ABSTRACT

A shoe system having an attachable ornamental accessory, comprising a shoe including a toe-hold area including at least one detachable attachment device and including a heel-hold area including at least one attachment device. Also included is an attachable ornamental accessory comprising a length of material that can be removably attached at one end to the toe-hold area and can be removably attached at a second end to the heel-hold area. The length of material may comprise or include various types of ornamental objects.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in exemplary embodiments, to shoes, and more particularly to shoes having interchangeable attachments.

BACKGROUND

Purchasing many pairs of shoes can be costly and requires large storage and/or displaying space. Previous shoe systems allow a user to change the look and style of a single shoe. However, the previous systems can be cumbersome and offer little utility.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various invention embodiments. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description below.

One exemplary embodiment provides a shoe system having a attachable ornamental accessory, comprising a shoe formed to include a sole sized and configured to support a wearer's foot, a toe portion associated with the sole, and a heel portion associated with the sole, the toe portion including a toe-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the toe-hold area, and the heel portion including a heel-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the heel-hold area. Further included in such a shoe system is an attachable accessory configured to extend along at least a portion of the top of a wearer's foot from generally the toe area toward a wearer's ankle area. The accessory has a first end including at least one attachment device adapted to attach to the toe-hold area at least one attachment device and a second end including a strap comprising a first strap portion having at least one attachment device and a second strap portion having at least one attachment device, the first and second strap portions being adapted to wrap around a wearer's ankle, the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to attach to each other and at least one of the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to connect to the heel-hold area at least one attachment device.

In exemplary embodiments, the toe-hold area at least one attachment device comprises at least one first fastener and the attachable accessory first end at least one attachment devices comprises at least one second fastener, whereby the first fastener and second fastener are detachably attachable. In exemplary embodiments, the at least one first fastener comprises either a magnet or a magnetically attractive material and the at least one second fastener comprises either a magnet or a magnetically attractive material, the first and second fasteners being magnetically attachable to each other.

In another exemplary embodiment, a shoe system is provided having an attachable ornamental accessory, comprising a shoe formed to include a sole sized and configured to support a wearer's foot, a toe portion associated with the sole, and a heel portion associated with the sole, the toe portion including a toe-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the toe-hold area, and the heel portion having a strap associated therewith, the strap being adapted to wrap around a wearer's ankle, the strap comprising a first portion having a first end and a second portion having a second end, the first and second ends being detachably associated with each other. Such a shoe system further includes an attachable accessory configured to extend along at least a portion of the top of a wearer's foot from generally the toe area toward a wearer's ankle area, the accessory having a first end including at least one attachment device adapted to attach to the toe-hold area at least one attachment device and a second end including at least one loop adapted to removably receive a portion of the strap.

In still another exemplary embodiment, an attachable ornamental accessory for a shoe is provided. In such embodiment a shoe may comprise a sole sized and configured to support a wearer's foot, a toe portion associated with the sole, and a heel portion associated with the sole, the toe portion including a toe-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the toe-hold area, and the heel portion including a heel-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the heel-hold area. In such embodiment the accessory comprises a body configured to extend along at least a portion of the top of a wearer's foot from generally the toe area toward a wearer's ankle area, the accessory having a first end including at least one attachment device adapted to attach to a toe-hold area at least one attachment device and a second end including a strap comprising a first strap portion having at least one attachment device and a second strap portion having at least one attachment device, the first and second strap portions being adapted to wrap around a wearer's ankle, the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to attach to each other and at least one of the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to connect to the heel-hold area at least one attachment device

Other features will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings disclose exemplary embodiments in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a shoe system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the shoe system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the shoe system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one exemplary embodiment of an attachment accessory of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a shoe system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shoe system of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following examples are set forth for purposes of illustration only. Parts and percentages appearing in such examples are by weight unless otherwise stipulated.

According to one illustrative embodiment, a shoe system 10 generally includes a shoe 102, for example a stiletto style shoe, and an accessory attachment 104, as shown in FIG. 1. The particular style of shoe can be any of a wide variety, including, but not limited to, flat, platform, wedge, sandal, boot, or the like. The shoe 102 generally includes a sole 110, a toe portion 112, and a heel portion 114. For purposes of the following description, the term “sole” is used to refer generally to the part of the shoe 102 on which a wearer stands (including, for example, any insole, arch support, or similar item the foot touches). The toe portion 112 is coupled to the sole 110 and configured to overly a portion of the front of a wearer's foot. The heel portion 114 is coupled to the sole 110 and configured to surround at least a portion of a wearer's heel. In combination, the toe portion 112 and heel portion 114 generally maintain a wearer's foot within a perimeter of the sole 110. In the illustrative embodiment, the shoe 102 also includes a heel stem 116 coupled to an underside of the sole 110 to support the heel of a wearer's foot in an elevated position compared to the wearer's toes.

In exemplary embodiments, the toe portion 112 includes a toe-hold layer 122 and one or more toe magnets 124 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The term “magnets” is used to refer to magnetically charged material or material which is attracted to magnetically charged material. However, whenever one magnet magnetically couples with another magnet, as described herein, at least one of the magnets is a magnetically charged material. In one illustrative embodiment, the toe-hold layer 122 is a toe-hold strap 122, and the one or more toe magnets 124 includes three toe magnets 124. However, it should be understood that other toe covering styles may be used such as, for example, closed or peep toe. It should also be understood that more or less magnets may be used in the toe portion 112, such as a single magnet, and the magnets may be provided in various shapes and sizes such as, for example, a curved, rectangular, circular or square cross-section, or the like.

The toe magnets 124 may be embedded within or otherwise associated with the toe-hold strap 122 and, in exemplary embodiments, may be configured in close proximity to simulate a continuous single magnet while allowing the toe-hold strap 122 to flex with the top of a wearer's foot during walking. The magnets 124 may be configured in a symmetrical pattern along the strap toe-hold 122 with respect to a centerline C of the shoe 102 extending between the toe portion 112 and heel portion 114. In the illustrative embodiment, three toe magnets 124 are configured where a first magnet 124F is positioned on the centerline C of the shoe 102 and the second and third magnets 124S, 124T are positioned symmetrically across the centerline C on either side of the first magnet 124F. Where a single toe magnet is used, the center of the toe magnet is generally positioned on the centerline C of the shoe 102. The magnets may abut each other or may be spaced apart, or a combination of abutting and spaced apart (such as where three magnets are used).

In exemplary embodiments, the heel portion 114 may include a heel-hold layer 126 and one or more heel magnets 128 as shown in FIG. 3. In one illustrative embodiment, the heel-hold layer 126 is a closed heel-hold 126, and a single heel magnet 128 is embedded within or otherwise associated with the closed heel-hold 126. However, it should be understood that the heel-hold layer 126 may be an open heel-hold with enough material to couple to the sole 110 and support at least the one or more heel magnets 128. It should also be understood that more magnets may be used in the heel portion 114, such as two magnets, and the magnets may come in various shapes and sizes such as, for example, rectangular or square cross-section, or circular cross-section, to name a few.

The accessory attachment 104 generally includes a decorative body 130 and an ankle-retention system 140 coupled to the body 130 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The accessory attachment 104 may be constructed from any number of different types of materials, such as, but not limited to leather, suede, plastic, hemp, rope, metal, natural or synthetic fibers (or combinations of natural and synthetic fibers, or textiles/fabrics. The body 130 may include surface treatments, appliques, or attachments or, such as, but not limited to, embroidering, beading, tiles, stitching, piping, combinations of the foregoing, or the like. The body 130 is configured to extend generally along at least a portion of the top of a wearer's foot between the toes and the ankle and includes an attachment portion 132 and a cover portion 134. The body 130 may wrap partially around the side of the foot and/or ankle. The attachment portion 132 includes one or more attachment magnets 136 sized and configured to magnetically couple with the one or more toe magnets 124 included in the shoe 102 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the illustrative embodiment, a single attachment magnet 136 is used to attach to the first magnet 124F. However, it should be understood that more magnets may be used in the attachment portion 132, such as three magnets, and the magnets may be as described hereinabove. In one embodiment, the number of attachment magnets 136 is the same as the number of toe magnets 124 and the attachment magnets 136 are configured in the same symmetrical pattern as the toe magnets 124 such that the attachment portion 132 of the body 130 is oriented with respect to the toe portion 112 of the shoe 102. The magnets may abut each other or may be spaced apart, or a combination of abutting and spaced apart (such as where three magnets are used).

In exemplary embodiments, the ankle-retention system 140 generally includes a first ankle-retention strap 142 and a second ankle-retention strap 144. The first ankle-retention strap 142 includes a first end 141 coupled to the cover portion 134 of the body 130 and a second end 143 coupled to a first retention magnet 146. The second ankle-retention strap 144 includes a first end 145 coupled to the cover portion 134 of the body 130 and a second end 147 coupled to a second retention magnet 148. The first and second ankle-retention straps 142, 144 are configured to extend around a wearer's ankle. The first and second retention magnets 146, 148 are sized and configured to magnetically couple with the one or more heel magnets 128.

In one illustrative embodiment, the first retention magnet 146 is magnetically coupled to the heel magnet 128, and the second retention magnet 148 is magnetically coupled to the first retention magnet 146 such that the first retention magnet 146 is positioned between the heel magnet 128 and the second retention magnet 148. Alternatively, the second retention magnet 148 may be magnetically coupled to the heel magnet 128, and the first retention magnet 146 is magnetically coupled to the second retention magnet 148 such that the second retention magnet 148 is positioned between the heel magnet 128 and the first retention magnet 146. In another embodiment, the heel portion 114 includes two heel magnets, and the first retention magnet 146 magnetically couples to one of the heel magnets while the second retention magnet 148 magnetically couples to the other heel magnet.

The accessory attachment 104 magnetically attaches to the shoe 102 to form the shoe system 10 and retain a wearer's foot on the shoe 102. The accessory attachment 104 is sized to extend at least partially over a wearer's foot between the toe and ankle region and simultaneously allow magnetic attachment between the one or more attachment magnets 136 and one or more toe magnets 124 and magnetic attachment between the first and second retention magnets 146, 148 and the one or more heel magnets 128. By allowing the accessory attachment 104 to be removable, a number of different accessory attachments may be magnetically attached to the shoe 102 to change the look and styling of the show system 10.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a shoe system 20 generally includes the shoe 102 from FIGS. 1-3, an ankle-retention strap 250, and an accessory attachment 204 as shown in FIGS. 5-6. The shoe 102 may retain the heel magnet 128 even though it is not utilized by the accessory attachment 204, as describe herein, because one advantage of the present invention is the ability to use a single base shoe with multiple accessory attachments. Thus, the accessory attachment 104 of FIG. 1 and accessory attachment 204 of FIG. 5 may operate with the same shoe 102.

In one illustrative embodiment, the heel portion 114 of the shoe 102 is formed to include a channel or loop 129 or other opening or openings sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the ankle-retention strap 250. In combination, the toe portion 112, heel portion 114, and ankle-retention strap 250 retain a wearer's foot on the shoe 102. It should be understood that the heel-hold layer 114 may be an open heel-hold with enough material to couple to the sole 110 and form the channel 129.

In exemplary embodiments, the accessory attachment 204 may generally include a decorative body 230 and an ankle strap loop 240 coupled to the body 230, as shown in FIGS. 5-6. The accessory attachment 204 may be constructed from, a material similar to the accessory attachment 104. The body 230 is configured to extend along the top of a wearer's foot and includes an attachment portion 232 and a cover portion 234.

The attachment portion 232 may include one or more attachment magnets 236 sized and configured to magnetically couple with the one or more toe magnets 124 included in the shoe 102. In the illustrative embodiment, the number of attachment magnets 236 is the same as the number of toe magnets 124, and the attachment magnets 236 are configured in the same symmetrical pattern as the toe magnets 124 such that the attachment portion 232 of the body 230 is oriented with respect to the toe portion 112 of the shoe 102. However, it should be understood that more or less magnets may be used in the attachment portion 232, such as a single magnet, and the magnets may be constructed and configured as described hereinabove.

The ankle strap loop 240 is coupled to the cover portion 234 of the body 230, and is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the ankle-retention strap 250. In one illustrative embodiment, the ankle-retention strap 250 is a strap or length of material having a free end 252 which couples with a buckle 254 to form a loop of material as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. However, it should be understood that other configurations are possible, such as for example, a band of hook and loop material designed to mate with itself to form a loop, or the like. The ankle-retention strap 250 is generally slidable within the loop 129 of the heel portion 114 and the ankle strap loop 240 of the accessory attachment 204. Thus, the ankle-retention strap 250 is removable allowing the removal of the accessory attachment 204 and reattachment of another accessory attachment.

The accessory attachment 204 magnetically and physically attaches to the shoe 102 to form the shoe system 20 and retain a wearer's foot on the shoe 102. The accessory attachment 204 is sized to extend over a wearer's foot and simultaneously allow magnetic attachment between the one or more attachment magnets 236 and one or more toe magnets 124, physical attachment between the ankle-retention strap 250 and ankle strap loop 240, and physical attachment between the ankle-retention strap 250 and heel loop 129. By allowing the accessory attachment 204 to be removable, a number of different accessory attachments may be magnetically attached to the shoe 102 to change the look and styling of the show system 20.

It should be understood that the shoe 102 is not required to include both the heel magnet 128 and loop 129. For example, the shoe 102 may only include the heel magnet 128 allowing attachment accessories similar to attachment accessory 104 to be interchangeably attached thereto. Alternatively, the shoe 102 may only include the loop 129 allowing attachment accessories similar to attachment accessory 204 to be interchangeably attached thereto.

In other exemplary embodiments, rather than using magnets to attach the attachment 104 or 204 to the shoe, at each attachment point one or more fasteners or fastener systems, such as, but not limited to, a clasp, snap, button, eye, hook, adhesive material, tab, and slot can be formed in, attached to, or otherwise associated with the toe-hold area 122 and a mating fastener can be formed in, attached to, or otherwise associated the attachment 104 or 204 for each attachment point. Alternatively, a hook and loop material system can be used where either the hook material or the loop material may be associated with the toe-strap 122 or the heel-hold area 126 and the mating loop or hook material, respectively, associated with the attachment 130 or straps 142 or 144.

Although only a number of exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe system having an attachable ornamental accessory, comprising: (a) a shoe formed to include a sole sized and configured to support a wearer's foot, a toe portion associated with the sole, and a heel portion associated with the sole, the toe portion including a toe-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the toe-hold area, and the heel portion including a heel-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the heel-hold area, and (b) an attachable accessory configured to extend along at least a portion of the top of a wearer's foot from generally the toe area toward a wearer's ankle area, the accessory having a first end including at least one attachment device adapted to attach to the toe-hold area at least one attachment device and a second end including a strap comprising a first strap portion having at least one attachment device and a second strap portion having at least one attachment device, the first and second strap portions being adapted to wrap around a wearer's ankle, the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to attach to each other and at least one of the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to connect to the heel-hold area at least one attachment device.
 2. The shoe system of claim 1, wherein the toe-hold area at least one attachment device comprises at least one first fastener and the attachable accessory first end at least one attachment devices comprises at least one second fastener, whereby the first fastener and second fastener are detachably attachable.
 3. The shoe system of claim 2, wherein the at least one first fastener comprises at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of a magnet, magnetically attractive material, clasp, snap, button, eye, hook, loop material, hook material, adhesive material, tab, and slot, and wherein the at least one second fastener comprises at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of a magnet, magnetically attractive material, clasp, snap, button, eye, hook, loop material, hook material, adhesive material, tab, and slot, the at least one second fastener adapted to detachably associate with the at least one first fastener.
 4. The shoe system of claim 2, wherein the at least one first fastener comprises either a magnet or a magnetically attractive material and the at least one second fastener comprises either a magnet or a magnetically attractive material, the first and second fasteners being magnetically attachable to each other.
 5. The shoe system of claim 3, wherein the first at least one first fastener comprises a plurality of either magnets or pieces of magnetically attractive material spaced across at least a portion of the toe-hold area.
 6. The shoe system of claim 5, wherein the toe-hold layer comprises a toe-hold strap sized and configured to extend across the top of a wearer's foot, and the three or more toe magnets are configured in a symmetric pattern along the toe-hold strap.
 7. The shoe system of claim 3, wherein the first fastener comprises either a single magnet or magnetically attractive material that is curved to generally follow at least a portion of a wearer's toe area curve.
 8. The shoe system of claim 1, wherein the first strap portion can detachably attach to the second strap portion and either the first strap portion or the second strap portion can detachably attach to the heel-hold area attachment device.
 9. The shoe system of claim 1, wherein the first strap portion attachment device comprises at least one magnet or magnetically attractive material and the second strap portion attachment device comprises at least one magnet or magnetically attractive material such that the first strap portion magnet or magnetically attractive material can detachably attach to the second strap portion magnet or magnetically attractive material.
 10. The shoe system of claim 9, wherein the heel-hold area attachment device comprises at least one magnet or magnetically attractive material adapted to be attachable to at least one of the first strap portion attachment device or the second strap portion attachment device so as to retain the strap.
 11. A shoe system having an attachable ornamental accessory, comprising: (a) a shoe formed to include a sole sized and configured to support a wearer's foot, a toe portion associated with the sole, and a heel portion associated with the sole, the toe portion including a toe-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the toe-hold area, and the heel portion having a strap associated therewith, the strap being adapted to wrap around a wearer's ankle, the strap comprising a first portion having a first end and a second portion having a second end, the first and second ends being detachably associated with each other; and (b) an attachable accessory configured to extend along at least a portion of the top of a wearer's foot from generally the toe area toward a wearer's ankle area, the accessory having a first end including at least one attachment device adapted to attach to the toe-hold area at least one attachment device and a second end including at least one loop adapted to removably receive a portion of the strap.
 12. The shoe system of claim 11, wherein the toe-hold area at least one attachment device comprises at least one first fastener and the attachable accessory first end at least one attachment devices comprises at least one second fastener, whereby the first fastener and second fastener are detachably attachable to each other.
 13. The shoe system of claim 12, wherein the at least one first fastener comprises at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of a magnet, magnetically attractive material, clasp, snap, button, eye, hook, loop material, hook material, adhesive material, tab, and slot, and wherein the at least one second fastener comprises at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of a magnet, magnetically attractive material, clasp, snap, button, eye, hook, loop material, hook material, adhesive material, tab, and slot, the at least one second fastener adapted to detachably associate with the at least one first fastener.
 14. The shoe system of claim 12, wherein the at least one first fastener comprises either a magnet or a magnetically attractive material and the at least one second fastener comprises either a magnet or a magnetically attractive material, the first and second fasteners being magnetically attachable to each other.
 15. An attachable ornamental accessory for a shoe, the shoe comprising a sole sized and configured to support a wearer's foot, a toe portion associated with the sole, and a heel portion associated with the sole, the toe portion including a toe-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the toe-hold area, and the heel portion including a heel-hold area and at least one attachment device associated with the heel-hold area, the accessory comprising: a body configured to extend along at least a portion of the top of a wearer's foot from generally the toe area toward a wearer's ankle area, the accessory having a first end including at least one attachment device adapted to attach to a toe-hold area at least one attachment device and a second end including a strap comprising a first strap portion having at least one attachment device and a second strap portion having at least one attachment device, the first and second strap portions being adapted to wrap around a wearer's ankle, the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to attach to each other and at least one of the first and second strap portion attachment devices being adapted to connect to the heel-hold area at least one attachment device. 